Division of Student Affairs

Transition Guide for New Families

The New Family Transition Guide is a tool for parents, family members, and supporters of soon-to-be Catamounts to prepare for the transition to and the first six weeks of the academic semester. There is a lot to think about—both for students and their families—and the guide is here to help facilitate important conversations, encourage skill-building, and share applicable resources from UVM and beyond.

TOPIC AREAS

ACADEMICS

QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR STUDENT	QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF
What are your academic expectations of yourself? How do you think the rigor of classes will challenge you? What's your relationship to procrastination?	How are you feeling about your student's academic preparation? What support do you anticipate them needing? How do you expect to respond to your student's first failing grade? Are you prepared to let your student make mistakes and/or fail? What might that feel like? How are you prepared for a student with changing beliefs other than your own?

Skills to Develop

Build self-awareness around productivity and study habits

Resources to Help

ADULTING & TRANSITIONS

QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR STUDENT	QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF
How are you preparing for this new experience? What do you think it will be like living on your own? How can you navigate change or loneliness?	What are two things you need for the transition go to smoothly? What's your goodbye plan? How might life be different after you drop them off?

Skills to Develop

Setting up doctor's appointments
How to do their own laundry
How to ask for help or clarity
How to clean their room and shared spaces
Create a personal hygiene schedule
Make a practice of reading their emails and clearing out inboxes

Resources to Help

COMMUNICATING WITH HOME

QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR STUDENT	QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF
What are you comfortable sharing with me? How often to you want to connect over text, phone, over email? What are the expectations? How can I help you advocate for yourself without undermining your autonomy and independence? If we share locations, are you comfortable with me checking up on you?	How often do you want to hear from your student? How often do you expect to hear from them? Have you experienced "emotional dump" calls from your student? What are some strategies to help both you and your student get through those difficult moments? How might you use breaks during the semester to check in with your student?

Skills to Build for You and Your Student

Develop a plan for connecting with family each week
Understand when and how your student wants/needs you to get involved in their UVM life
Develop boundaries around sharing locations

FINANCES

Questions to Ask Your Student

What are your family expectations around banking and budgeting?
What are your thoughts around getting a job on campus?
What do you spend your money on the most?
How will you communicate with me about financial challenges?

Skills to Develop

Learn what banks are available in the Burlington area
Have your student set up a personal checking account
Learn how to write out a check and locate bank routing/account numbers
Build a basic budget for dining, expenses, and fun
Remember: Pace yourself with the available resources!

FOOD & NUTRITION

Questions to Ask Your Student

What are your distinct food needs? How can you meet them?
What are the meals or foods you will miss from home?
How will you make sure you have enough to eat?
If you are sick, how will you access food on campus
If you have food allergies/intolerances, what are your options?

Skills to Build

Review the dining options on campus and in the Burlington area
Build a schedule around classes for eating
Review food help resources on and off campus
Allergies or need accommodations? Review the Nutrition page
Learn how to order on our app to save time

Additional Resources

Cultural Resource Guide (with an "Eat" tab for local favorites)
Sick Meal Authorizaton form
Severe food allergies? Apply for Simple Zone CATcard access
Interested in local foods? Keep a look out for the Vermont First logo or talk to a Dining employee!

HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS & CONSENT

QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR STUDENT	QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF
How do you set boundaries? What does consent look like? What makes a healthy relationship?	What do you need to be prepared to discuss healthy sexual and romantic relationships with your student if they come to you for support?

Skills to Build

Complete the Vector learning module on Sexual Assault Prevention for Undergraduates (Beginning June 26)

Resources to Help

GETTING INVOLVED & MAKING FRIENDS

Questions to Ask Your Student

What activities are you interested in outside of the classroom?
What kind of friendships do you want?
What makes a supportive friend?
What types of experiences do you want to have during your first year? Why those?

Skills to Build

LIVING ON CAMPUS

Questions to Ask Your Student

What makes a good neighbor?
How do you like to manage conflicts?
What kind of a relationship do you need out of a roommate?
If you experience any roommate or housing challenges, what supports do you have?

Skills to Build

Attend the New Student Insight Session on Living in Community
Learn how to request housing accommodations
Learn about gender-inclusive housing
What's your mailing address? View the mail guide for residential students

SOCIAL MEDIA USE

QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR STUDENT	QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF
How do you feel when you use social media? How do you curate what or how much you watch? What kinds of content do you want your families to see from your account(s)?	Is social media a tool you use to check in with your student or surveil them? How might your student's social media behavior change while in college? And, how might that change impact you? What will it be like for you to hear less from your student?

Skills to Build

Unfollow social media accounts that make you feel anxious, self-conscious, or deflated
Limit scrolling to 30 minutes

Tip sheet for social media use and mental health

SELF-CARE

Questions to Ask Your Student

What time of day are you most centered? Productive? Disconnected?
What are some of the ways you decompress?
What practices would you like to build on to feel your best?
How do you like to move your body?
How much sleep do you need to feel your best?
Are there spiritual practices you would like to continue or build on in college?

Skills to Develop

Build a general plan for decompressing and stress management
Add movement to your daily schedule
Determine a plan for personal care that may include hair care, mental health and primary care, and more that will help your student feel their most authentic selves.

Campus Resources

SUBSTANCE USE

Questions to Ask Your Student

What is your perception of substance use in college?
What ways can you stay safe in spaces where alchohol is provided?
What is your relationship to tobacco, cannabis, or other substances?

Communicate clear expectations about the use of alcohol, marijuana, and other substances. You are critical to their success. Help them understand that participating in high-risk activities detracts them from the ability to take full advantage of their college experience. Also, be thoughtful in sharing your own experiences of days past. Stories leave a lasting impression with your student. Revisit this conversation during their first semester, listening to their experiences and providing your own wisdom.

Skills to Build

Complete the Vector learning module on substance use